Vitamin D shows in vivo efficacy in a placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded, randomised clinical trial on canine atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) in dogs is among the most common skin diseases in small animal practice. It is an inflammatory disease based on a genetic predisposition to develop hypersensitivity against environmental and food allergens and typical clinical signs up exposure. Treatment sometimes can be difficult and associated with adverse effects. Previous studies evaluating cholecalciferol as treatment for human AD have shown promising results. With canine AD being a good animal model for its human counterpart, it was hypothesised that cholecalciferol might have beneficial clinical effects in dogs, too. In this randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded eight-week cross-over study, 23 client-owned dogs received either systemic cholecalciferol (n=16), a vitamin D receptor analogue (n=8) or placebo (n=13). Blood samples for ionised calcium were obtained regularly during the study, and Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index and pruritus scores, blood levels of vitamin D metabolites, measurements of skin pH and transepidermal water loss were determined before and after. Pruritus and lesion scores decreased significantly in the cholecalciferol group versus placebo. No differences in water loss or skin pH were observed. An increase in serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol strongly correlated with a reduction in pruritus. Systemic cholecalciferol may be a viable treatment option for canine AD.

Impact of Nutritional Supplementation on Canine Dermatological Disorders

“…Vitamins D supplementation has shown to be beneficial in case of AD [95] while vitamin E acts as an antioxidant improving the clinical status of dogs with moderate AD [96][97][98], reducing the biosynthesis of prostaglandin E2 [99], inhibiting formation of IgE and decreasing its amount [100,101].…”

Vitamin D therapy in canine atopic dermatitis

“…15 Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) also play an important role in skin barrier function through innate immunity in human and canine atopic dermatitis, 16 so vitamin D might contribute to prevention of recurrent pyoderma, one of the regular phenomenon in canine atopic dermatitis. 17 The aim of the Klinger study 8 is in agreement with recently suggested clinical trials of canine atopic dermatitis that focus on the development of drugs able to restore the skin barrier and increase natural defences against pathogenic organisms. 18 The study was designed as a three-arm randomised, doubleblinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial.…”

Vitamin D metabolism in dogs and cats and its relation to diseases not associated with bone metabolism

“…Based on the association between vitamin D and inflammation in human medicine, a correlation between circulating concentrations of 25(OH)D and the severity of atopic dermatitis signs in children has been demonstrated (Peroni, Piacentini, Cametti, Chinellato, & Boner, 2011). In veterinary medicine, a recent study investigated the effects of systemic administration of cholecalciferol in dogs with atopic dermatitis (Klinger et al, 2018). In this study, it was observed that dogs in the treatment group had lower lesion and pruritus scores when compared to those of the placebo group.…”